Royal Borough residents to trial electric cars

Royal Borough residents are set to be given the chance to trial electric cars and innovative new kerbside electric charging points for free.

In partnership with smart cities platform provider, Connected Kerb (CKL), residents will be able to borrow an electric vehicle (EV) for up to six months to experience life with an EV (subject to eligibility criteria and availability). The trial will be available to drivers* aged 25-65 with a good safety record and will be completely free.

Cllr David Coppinger, lead member for planning and health including sustainability said: “By 2040 all new vehicles will have to be emission free. By giving our residents a chance to trial this technology now, we are preparing them and our borough for the future.”

Trial participants will be able to choose between two cars - a Renault Zoe R110, a supermini, or a Hyundai IONIQ, a family sized hatchback - ensuring there will be a car to suit most residents.

As well as a trial of the electric cars, Connected Kerb will install five kerbside “drive-up” electric vehicle charging points in Alma Road, Windsor. The charging points will be available to those participating in the trial and existing EV drivers and will be free to use provisionally.

The Alma Road site will give residents a chance to try out Connected Kerb’s smart charging solution, which utilises subterranean infrastructure to enable EV charging, IoT sensors, and ultra-fast Wi-Fi. The innovative technology also provides valuable data for local authorities, such as environmental, weather and traffic monitoring data.

The site will include a variety of sympathetically designed charge points, including:

Charge points integrated into sign

Charge points integrated into bollards

Low level ‘Armadillo’ units.

Cllr Coppinger continued: “Ensuring we have the right infrastructure for EVs now and in the future is vital. This trial will allow us to see how a charging solution of this kind could work for Royal Borough residents.”

With emphasis on the sustainability of their designs, the Connected Kerb products are manufactured from recycled materials, with hopes to extend efforts further in the future.

Paul Ayres, COO, Connected Kerb, commented: “We are thrilled to be able to give residents of the Royal Borough the chance to trial an EV and test our unique kerbside charging points.

“As we move nearer to the government deadline of 2040, it’s vital that the Great British public have the chance trial this exciting technology and that the infrastructure needed to support this change is put in place. We are delighted that Royal Borough residents will be able to test and benefit from the trial.”

The trial will start from March 2019 and run for six months.

FAQs

Q. Do you have to be over / under a certain age to trial an electric car?

A. Yes you need to be between 25 – 65 years of age

Q. Do you need to have had your driver’s licence for a certain period of time?

A. Yes, you need to have held a UK licence for a minimum of three years.

Q. Do you need to be a UK citizen with a UK driving licence?

A. You need to be resident in the UK and hold a full UK/EU driving licence and meet the below criteria:

No more than six penalty points in last three years (minor convictions)

All major motoring convictions must be referred

Not banned within the last five years

No more than one fault claim within the last three years

All criminal convictions must be referred

Q. Can you drive them with an ‘automatic only’ licence?

A. Yes, automatic only licenses holder are eligible as the cars are automatic.

Q. Who pays for the electricity to charge the car?

A. If charged through CKL or Polar network it is included in monthly charge (paid by CKL).

Q. What about insurance cover / collision damage waiver?

A. Included in monthly charge (paid by CKL).

Q. Are there any caps on mileage?

A. Yes, 1,000 miles per month.

Q. Is breakdown cover included?

A. Yes, included in monthly charge (paid by CKL).

Q. How do I apply for the trial?

A.* Please email [email protected] to register your interest. Please note that the trial is limited and in some cases not everyone who applies will be able to participate.